Planter with high speed seed delivery apparatus

ABSTRACT

An agricultural planting implement includes a number of row units. The row units include one or more seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed to the ground such that preferred spacing of subsequent seed is attained. A seed meter provides seeds one at time to a seed carrier, such as a brush wheel. The brush wheel may move the seeds one at a time to a seed conveyor by directly moving seeds along a curved portion of a seed disc in the seed meter. The seed conveyor may be a flighted belt, and the velocity of the seeds when transferred from the seed carrier may match the velocity of the flighted belt. The seed conveyor conveys the seeds to a position near the bottom of a furrow, and ejects the seeds with little or no horizontal velocity relative to the bottom of the furrow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser. No.16/146,536, filed on Sep. 28, 2018, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to provisional application U.S. Ser. Nos. 62/565,881, filedSep. 29, 2017, and 62/596,350, filed on Dec. 8, 2017. The prioritypatent applications are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety, including without limitation, the specification, claims, andabstract, as well as any figures, tables, appendices, or drawingsthereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements. Moreparticularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to anagricultural planter with a seed delivery apparatus for delivering seedfrom a metering system of a row unit to a furrow created in the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An agricultural row crop planter is a machine built for distributingseed into the ground. The row crop planter generally includes ahorizontal toolbar fixed to a hitch assembly for towing behind atractor. Row units are mounted to the toolbar. In differentconfigurations, seed may be stored at individual hoppers on each rowunit, or it may be maintained in a central hopper and delivered to therow units on an as needed basis. The row units include ground-workingtools for opening and closing a seed furrow, and a seed metering systemfor distributing seed to the seed furrow.

In its most basic form, the seed meter includes a housing and a seeddisc. The housing is constructed such that it creates a reservoir tohold a seed pool. The seed disc resides within the housing and rotatesabout a generally horizontal central axis. As the seed disc rotates, itpasses through the seed pool where it picks up individual seeds. Theseeds are subsequently dispensed from the seed meter and transported tothe seed furrow.

Seed spacing in the seed furrow is roughly controlled by varying therotational speed of the seed disc. The most common seed delivery systemfor delivering seed from the seed disc to the furrow may be categorizedas a gravity drop system. In the case of the gravity drop system, a seedtube has an inlet end, which is positioned below the seed meteringsystem. The singulated seeds from the seed metering system drop into theseed tube and fall via gravitational force from a discharge end thereofinto the seed furrow. Monitoring systems are commonly used to monitorthe operation of the planter. Such systems typically employ a seedsensor attached to each seed tube to detect the passage of seedtherethrough.

However, such a gravity system can affect the seed spacing of theplanter. For example, as the spacing of the speed is dependent on therotational velocity of the seed disc and the gravitational constant,interruptions, forces, or other occurrences acting on the seed cangreatly affect the spacing. For example, if the seed bumps against awall of the seed tube on the way to the furrow; this can cause a delayor a non-vertical fall of the seed. If a preceding or following seeddoes not experience the same interruption, the seeds could be spaced tooclose or far from one another.

Furthermore, as the speed of planting increases, this causes additionalproblems. Drawing a planting implement through the field at fasterspeeds increases the speed of deposited seeds relative to the ground,causing seeds to roll and bounce upon landing in the trench or furrowand resulting in inconsistent plant spacing. The adverse agronomiceffects of poor seed placement and inconsistent plant spacing are wellknown in the art.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an agricultural plantingimplement that includes a seed delivery apparatus that aids indelivering seed from a singulating seed meter to a furrow or trench inthe field, such that the spacing of adjacent seed is more consistent toincrease the yield obtained of the end crop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a principal object, feature, and/or advantage of thedisclosed features to overcome the deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide an agricultural planter with a seed deliveryapparatus to provide consistent spacing between adjacent seed.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide a seed delivery apparatus, mechanism, and/orassembly that will deliver a seed from a seed metering device to thefield.

It is still another object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide a seed delivery apparatus that will provideoptimized spacing in a seed furrow.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide a seed delivery apparatus that will allow forplanting with increased speed.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide a seed delivery apparatus that provides for seedspacing that will not be influenced by abrupt forces during travel.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosedfeatures to provide a controlled delivery of seed from a seed meter tothe ground wherein a seed experiences near zero horizontal velocityrelative to the ground, regardless of the velocity of the planter.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosurewill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention isnot to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. Nosingle embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, oradvantage.

The disclosure relates to various seed delivery systems for providing adesired, equidistant spacing of seed in a field, regardless of the speedof travel of an agricultural planter. Some aspects of the systems caninclude that the delivery of the seed from a seed meter to a trench orfurrow in the ground will not be influenced by factors such as externalforces, including the free fall of gravity. Furthermore, at least someof the systems provide setups that provide that the seed will be releasewith substantially zero relative velocity such that the seed will landsoftly within a trench or furrow, and will have little to no bouncetherein, which will aid in the correct spacing of the seed.

The disclosure, among other things, relates to a row unit for use withan agricultural implement that includes at least one seed meter having aseed disc. The seed meter has an opening and is adapted to provide oneseed at a time to the seed meter opening. A rotating brush incommunication with the seed meter opening receives seeds from the seedmeter. A conveyor in communication with the rotating brush receivesseeds from the rotating brush and the seeds proximate to the ground witha horizontal velocity component near zero relative to the ground. Therow unit may include a second seed meter that has a second seed disc.The seed disc may rotate about a seed disc axis that is generallyaligned with a direction of travel for the row unit. The rotating brushmay rotate about a brush axis that is generally horizontal andtransverse to the seed disc axis. The brush axis may be generallyperpendicular to the seed disc axis. The row unit may include a comb inengagement with the rotating brush proximate to the conveyor to guidethe seeds out of the rotating brush onto the conveyor. The conveyor mayhave a flighted belt within a conveyor cover. Movement of the flightedbelt may be synchronized with a rotation speed of the rotating brushwhereby seed exits the rotating brush with a velocity that closelymatches the movement of the flighted belt. The seed meters may include avacuum channel aligned beneath slots on the seed disc for retaining seedon the seed disc, and the vacuum channel may follow a path that movesthe seeds radially outwardly on the slots towards the seed meter openingas the seed disc rotates.

The disclosure also relates to an agricultural planting implement thatincludes a plurality of row units. Each row unit of the pluralityincludes a seed meter with a seed exit, a seed carrier in communicationwith the seed exit for receiving seed from the seed meter one seed atime; and a seed conveyor in communication with the seed carrier toreceive seeds from the seed carrier one at a time at a transfer locationremote from the seed meter. The seed conveyor is adapted to move theseed from the transfer location to an ejection location proximate to thebottom of a furrow and is adapted to eject the seed with little or nohorizontal velocity relative to the bottom of the furrow. The seedcarrier may be a brush wheel. The seed carrier is adapted to release theseeds one at a time at the transfer location with a transfer velocitythat closely matches a velocity of the seed conveyor. The seed conveyormay include a flighted belt.

According to another feature the disclosure relates to a row unit foruse with an agricultural implement that has a seed meter. The seed meterhas a seed disc that rotates about a seed disc axis. The seed meter hasan opening. The seed disc has a front face and a rear face. The frontface includes a flat inner portion and a curved outer portion thatextends frontwardly from an outer edge of the flat inner portion. Anarray of apertures is provided in the flat inner portion of the seeddisc in a circular pattern spaced radially inwardly from the curvedouter portion. Each of the apertures in the array is adapted to retain asingle seed. A rotating wheel rotates about a wheel axis. The rotatingwheel is located such that an outer portion of the wheel matches and isin close engagement with the curved outer portion of the front face ofthe seed disc such that as the seed disc rotates it brings a seedretained on one of the apertures into engagement with the outer portionof the wheel whereby the rotating wheel moves the seed outwardly alongthe curved outer portion to the opening in the seed meter. A conveyor incommunication with the opening in the seed meter to receive seeds fromthe rotating wheel, the conveyor ejecting the seeds proximate to theground with a horizontal velocity component near zero relative to theground. The rotating wheel may include a brush. The seed disc axis maybe generally aligned with a direction of travel for the row unit. Thewheel axis may be generally transverse to the seed disc axis. The brushaxis may be generally perpendicular to the seed disc axis. The conveyormay include a flighted belt within a conveyor cover. The flighted beltis synchronized with rotation speed of the rotating brush whereby seedexits the rotating brush with a velocity that closely matches themovement of the flighted belt. The seed meter may include a rear coverfacing that covers the rear face of the seed disc and a vacuum sourcefor supplying a vacuum between the rear face and the rear cover to helpretain the seeds in contact with the apertures as the seed disc rotates.The row unit may have a gasket that forms an airtight seal between therear cover and an outer portion of the seed disc, whereby the seed diskrotates relative to the gasket. The gasket may include a leg thatextends along the outer wall, such that relative movement of the seeddisc and the rear cover towards and away from each other will not breakthe airtight seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a planting implement according to oneembodiment described in the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a row unit for use with a plantingimplement.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a row unit including a dual seedmeter and seed delivery system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows the seed delivery apparatus of FIG. 3 isolated from theother components of the row unit.

FIG. 5 is an internal view of a seed meter showing components and a seedpath for a seed to move through the meter.

FIG. 6 shows an inner cover of the seed meter of FIG. 5, including avacuum channel.

FIG. 7 is a partial detail view of a seed meter opening and a rotatingbrush chamber.

FIG. 8 is a partial detail view of a rotating brush wheel and flightedbelt conveyor.

FIG. 9 is a detail view of a comb used to guide seeds from a rotatingbrush to a conveyor.

FIG. 10 is a partial detail view of the transmission elements of arotating brush and flighted conveyor.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of another row unit showing a unitaryseed meter and seed delivery system according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a partial detail view of the seed meter, wheel brush, andflighted conveyor of the row unit of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a row unit with a seed meter andseed delivery system according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the row unit with seed meter ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section side elevation view of the row unit with seedmeter of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a detail close-up of a portion of the cross-section sideelevation view of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross-section schematic illustrating features of the seedmeter and seed delivery system of FIGS. 13-16.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-section isometric view of the seed meter andseed delivery system of FIGS. 13-16.

FIG. 19 is a detail close-up of the partial cross-section isometric viewof the seed meter and seed delivery system of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a detail partial cross-section view of a portion of the seedmeter of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a partial detail cross section showing the connection andseal between the seed meter wheel and cover at a lower portion of theseed meter.

FIG. 22 is a partial detail cross-section isometric view showing theconnection and seal between the seed meter wheel and cover at an upperportion of the seed meter.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a row unit according to additionalaspects of the invention.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of the row unit of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the row unit of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a side sectional view of the row unit of FIG. 23 according toline 26-26 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 rear sectional view of the row unit of FIG. 23 according to line27-27 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a seed meter and seed delivery systemaccording to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 29 is side elevation view of the seed meter and seed deliverysystem of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the seed meter and seed delivery systemof FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 is an opposite sectional view of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a front view of the seed meter and seed delivery system ofFIG. 28.

FIG. 33 is a rear view of the seed meter and seed delivery system ofFIG. 28.

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the seed meter and seed delivery system ofFIG. 28.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view taken along line 35-35 of FIG. 29.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 29.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a seed disc and singulator according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 38 is an elevation view of the seed disc and singulator of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a singulator.

FIG. 40 is a rear view of a seed disc.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a seal for use with a seed meter.

FIG. 42 is a sectional view of the seal of FIG. 41.

Various embodiments of a seed delivery system and related components aredescribed in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the variousembodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplaryillustration of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an agricultural implement 10, in this case, an agriculturalplanter. The planter 10 is usually attached to and pulled by a tractor.However, it should be appreciated that other equipment and/or vehiclesmay move the implement 10. For purposes of the present disclosure, theimplement 10 will be referred to as a planter.

The planter 10 includes a tongue 14 having a first end 16 and anopposite second end (not shown). The tongue 14 includes a hitch 18 atthe first end 16, with the hitch 18 being connected to the tractor. Atthe opposite end of the tongue 14 is a central tool bar 22. The tongue14 may be a telescoping tongue with components capable of being insertedinto one another such that the implement 10 is a front folding styleimplement. However, the present invention is not to be limited to suchfront folding style implements and is to include any such implement foruse in the agricultural industry.

As shown in FIG. 1, central hoppers 24 are positioned at the centraltoolbar 22. The hoppers 24 are configured to store seed, fertilizer,insecticide, or other types of material for use in farming. The hoppers24 may both contain the same material, or could contain separatematerials. The use of the central hoppers 24 allows for a large amountof material to be added and stored at a centralized location. However,the invention also contemplates the use of one or more hopperspositioned at each of the row units 34 for providing seed to be plantedat the row units, as is shown in FIG. 3. When central hoppers 24 areused at the central toolbar 22, it should be appreciated that thecentral hoppers will be in fluid communication with each of the rowunits 34. This can be done by use of separate hoses to each of the rowunits, or fewer hoses that include splitters, wherein the hose is splitto provide seed or other material to more than one row unit. Alsoconnected to the central toolbar is a plurality of central wheels, whichmay be known as transport wheels 26 extending generally downwardly fromthe central toolbar 22. The wheels 26 contact the ground and support thecentral hoppers 24. The wheels stabilize the implement 10 and are thewheels that contact the ground when in a working position or a transportposition, e.g., if the implement 10 is a front folding implement suchthat the wings 28, 30 are folded forward with wing wheels 32 notcontacting the ground.

Extending generally from both sides of the toolbar 22 are first andsecond wings 28, 30. The wings 28, 30 are generally identical and mirrorimages of one another. Therefore, only one wing will be described withthe understanding that the other wing will be generally the sameconfiguration. The first wing 28 includes a bar 29. Mounted to the bar29 are a plurality of row units 34, as well as a plurality of wheels 32.The wheels 32 are configured to contact the ground. The row units 34 maybe seeders, fertilizers, insecticide sprayers, or other dispensers,discs, or plows. The wings 28, 30 may also include at least one foldcylinder and a down force cylinder. It is further contemplated thatmultiple down force cylinders be used with an implement having moresections. The fold cylinder(s) is configured to fold the wings to aposition wherein the first and second wings 28, 30 are generallyadjacent the tongue 14 of the implement 10.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a row unit 34, and more specifically,a seeder including a singulating seed meter 36. The row unit 34 includesa seed meter 36, furrow opener 38, row hoppers 39, and furrow closer 40.The row unit 34 also includes standard features such as frame 41,linkage 42, mount 43 for mounting to the planter 10, gauge wheels 44,and depth control mechanism 45. The gauge wheels 44 and depth controlmechanism 45 work together to control the depth of the furrow or trenchcreated by the opener 38. Furthermore, the row hopper 39 is connected toa seed supply, such as the central hoppers 24, which can provide theseed meter 36 of each row unit 34 with seed to be planted.Alternatively, the row hopper 39 may be a self-contained unitunconnected to a central hopper.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away side elevation view of another embodiment of a rowunit 34 according to exemplary aspects of the disclosure. The embodimentof FIG. 3 is a dual meter seed delivery apparatus 50 that includes twoseed meters 36 that can contain different hybrids of the same crop oreven seeds for different crops. Typically, only one of the seed meters36 would be operating at any one time, but there could be overlap and/oroperation of both meters contemporaneously, simultaneously, offset fromone another, or otherwise in coordination with one another. The meters36 would turn off and on depending on which hybrid or crop is needed tobe planted in each portion of the field. Both meters 36 could be runsimultaneously for a high population or to plant two different crops atthe same time. In operation, seed would be removed from one (or both)disc of a meter and would be in contact with the rotating brush 54, suchas at the left portion of the brush 54 as shown in FIG. 3. The brush 54would be rotating in a counterclockwise direction when looking at FIG.3. The brush 54 would then pass the seed to the flighted belt 58, whichwould take the seed to the ground. As would be understood, the seedwould move in an “S” shape from the brush to the belt and then to theground, as it would be delivered towards the left of FIG. 3 whenreleased from the belt 58. Other exemplary embodiments of the inventionutilize a single meter system, for example as shown in FIGS. 10-11.

FIG. 4 shows the seed delivery apparatus 50 isolated from the row unit34 shown in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 4, the seed delivery apparatus 50includes a vacuum connector 52 for applying a vacuum to the seed meters36. It is also noted that the vacuum could be replaced with positivepressure, making the seed meter an air seed meter regardless of thepressure type. Still further, as will be understood with respect toadditional figures, any of the embodiments of row units, seed meters,seed delivery systems, and/or any combination of the same can includededicated or otherwise integrated pressure systems. Such pressuresystems are shown and described in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,380,issued on Sep. 19, 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

The operation of the seed meters 36 is described in more detail belowwith reference to FIG. 5. The essential feature of the seed meters 36 isthat they present seeds, one at a time, to a rotating brush 54 that isin communication with the seed meters 36. The rotating brush 54 movesthe seeds to a conveyor 56. The conveyor 56 delivers the seeds proximateto a furrow where the seeds are ejected from the conveyor 56 with ahorizontal velocity component that substantially and reciprocallymatches the ground speed of the row unit 34, such that the horizontalvelocity of each seed relative to the ground is zero, or nearly zero. Inother words, the seeds fall more or less straight down without forwardmomentum being imparted by the direction of travel of the planter. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 4, the conveyor 56 includes a flighted belt 58within a case 60. The belt 58 is made of a resilient material thatincludes equally spaced flights 62 extending normally from the surfaceof the belt 58. In operation, the spaces between adjacent flights 62 actas seed receptacles 64 such that a single seed will be located withinany one receptacle to be transported from the brush 54 to a releasepoint 66 near the bottom of the furrow, typically at or below groundlevel. For example, the release point may be about 1.5 inches from thebottom of the furrow.

FIG. 5 shows a detail cross-section view of a seed meter 36 according toan exemplary embodiment of a dual-meter system. Each seed meter 36includes a rotating disc 68 within an outer case 70. A front surface 69of the disc 68 is visible in FIG. 5. Seed retaining slots 74 are arrayedalong the outer portion of the disc 68. The slots 74 extend angularlyrelative to a corresponding radius of the disc 68, such that the innerportion of each slot 74 leads the outer portion of the slot as the discrotates (in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 5). Paddles 76 extendfrom the perimeter of the disc 68. The paddles 76 are oriented generallytransversely perpendicular to the plane of the disc 68. The outer edgesof the paddles 76 are close to the inner surface of the outer case 70such that no seeds can fit between the paddles 76 and the inner surfaceof the outer case 70. Outer and inner singulator blades 78 & 80 areprovided on the inner compartment wall 73 and outer case 70respectively. An inner cover 82 is provided between the disc 68 and avacuum chamber that is located between the meters 34. As seen in FIG. 6,the inner cover 82 includes a vacuum channel 84 that forms a vacuum pathaligned under the slots 74. The vacuum channel 84 tracks radiallyoutwardly relative to the disc 68 between about 4 o'clock and 6 o'clockas viewed in FIG. 5. In operation this outward tracking of the vacuumchannel 84 helps move the singulated seeds retained on the slots 74outward towards an opening 86 at the bottom of the meter 34.

As shown in FIG. 5, a seed reservoir 88 is formed by internal wall 72and inner compartment wall 73. As further shown in FIG. 5, a seed poolwould be formed generally in the lower left quadrant of the disc 68. Asthe disc 68 rotates in a clockwise direction individual seeds from theseed pool adhere to the slots 74. The singulator blades 78 & 80 bump offany excess seeds so that by the time a slot 74 rotates past thesingulator blades 78 & 80 the slot 74 will contain only one seed inalignment with the vacuum channel 84. As the disc 68 continues torotate, the vacuum channel 84 causes the seed to move radially outwardlyon the slot 74 starting at about the four o'clock position causing theseed to pass through the opening in the inner compartment wall 73. Thetrailing paddle 76 pushes the seed through a seed loading opening 86 inthe outer case 70 where the seed is picked up by the rotating brush 54.The seed loading area is shown in detail in FIG. 7. Fins 88 span betweenadjacent paddles 76. The fins support the paddles 76, but moreimportantly match the contour of the seed loading area to permit thebrush wheel to pass by without interfering with any seeds that mighthave been placed in the brush upstream, and also to retain the seedswithin the brush cavity.

The rotating brush 54 rotates about an axis that is generally(substantially) normal or perpendicular to the axis about which the disc68 rotates. In other embodiments, the axes could be transverse at anglesother than 90 degrees. In some embodiments it is preferred that the axisabout which the brush 54 rotates should be generally perpendicular tothe direction of travel of the row unit 34 so that the brush 54 impartsa motion to the seeds that is parallel to the direction of travel of therow unit 34. The rotating brush 54 has resilient bristles that gentlyretain the seed, and the seed is carried within the brush as it rotates.According to at least one embodiment, the rotating brush 54 includesnylon bristles and is formed by mounting a strip of nylon bristles on acircular hub. The outer diameter of the brush according to oneembodiment is about four inches; however other dimensions are feasibledepending upon the need. As depicted, the bristles have a wave or sawtooth pattern; however, this not a necessary feature of the brush.

As shown in FIG. 7, the paddles 76 have a small profile as projectedrelative to the direction of travel of the brush 54. Furthermore, thespeed of the bristles relative to the paddles 76 in the direction oftravel of the bristles is much greater than the speed of the paddles 76relative to the bristles in the direction of travel of the paddles 76.Accordingly, the paddles 76 will pass through the bristles of therotating brush 54 without significant lateral displacement ordeformation of the bristles. According to one embodiment the bristlesmay be moving about ten times as fast as the paddles 76 at the interfacebetween the paddles 76 and the brush 54.

The rotating brush 54 acts as a seed carrier to carry seeds from theseed meters 36 to the conveyor 56. According to an aspect of someembodiments, the rotating brush 54 and the flighted belt 58 aresubstantially synchronized so that the velocity of a seed as it leavesthe brush 54 closely matches the velocity of the flighted belt 58 sothat the seed transitions smoothly to a seed receptacle 64 betweenadjacent flights 62 with minimal jarring. As shown in FIG. 8, thetransition of the seed from the brush to the conveyor belt 58 occurs ator near the top of the conveyor 56, where the belt 58 wraps around atensioning roller (drive pulley) 90. The wrapping of the belt 58 anglesthe flights 62 away from each other creating a larger opening to theseed receptacle 64 between the flights 62 giving a larger window totransition the seeds accurately one per receptacle 64.

As shown in FIG. 9, a comb 92, or similar structure, may be mounted tothe conveyor case 60 at the transition area between the brush 54 and theconveyer 56 to facilitate removal of the seeds from the brush 54.Specifically, the comb 92 may include individual tines 94 that extendinto the brush 54. The tines are shaped to deflect and guide the seeddownwardly out of the brush 54 onto the moving flighted belt 58.

As shown in FIG. 10, the synchronization of the brush 54 with theflighted belt 58 may be accomplished by interconnecting the drivemechanisms for the brush 54 and the flighted belt 58. For example, thebrush 54 may have gear 96 that is driven by gear 100, and tensioningroller 90 may be driven by gear 98. Because gears 98 and 100 are meshed,they cause the rotation of the tensioning roller 90 and the brush 54 tobe synchronized. One of gears 98 or 100 is driven and provides impulsethat corresponding drives the other of the gears 98 or 100. The speed ofthe gears 98 and 100 is controlled mechanically, or electronically,based upon the ground speed of the planter and the desired spacing ofthe seeds. Accordingly, as the ground speed increases, the speed atwhich the brush 54 rotates and the belt 58 moves increases to ejectseeds at a higher speed to maintain a uniform spacing and assure thatthe seeds are falling straight down with little or no forward orrearward momentum relative to the ground. Each of the components, theseed disc 68, rotating brush 54 and the conveyor 56 may be driven byindividual electric motors that are coordinated by a central control orprocessing unit (not shown) that receives input regarding the groundspeed of the unit and desired spacing of the seeds. Alternatively,components may share driving force from one or more inputs such aselectric motors, internal combustion motors, or motion driven linkages.

Similarly, the speed of the rotation of the disc 68 in the seed meters36 is also proportional to the ground speed of the planter 10 (anddesired planting population) so that seeds are being provided to thebrush 54 at the proper rate. The disc 68 may be mechanically connectedto wheels on the ground to assure that the speed of the disc 68 isproportional to the ground, or electronic sensors may be used to set thespeed of the disc 68. Still further, GPS, tractor speed calculations, orthe like, may indicate and/or otherwise provide the ground speed for therotational speeds to use to attempt to substantially match such that theseed is released with zero relative velocity. The ground speed could bethe tractor, the planter, portions of the planter (e.g., at the rowunits), or some combination thereof. The disc 68 may be driven byelectronic step motors or other known devices for driving rotation.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a row unit 234 that is similar to unit 34 describedabove, but utilizes a single seed meter 236. A seed delivery apparatus250 includes a seed meter 236 that presents seeds, one at a time, to arotating brush 254 that is in communication with the seed meter 236. Therotating brush 254 moves the seeds to a conveyor 256. The conveyor 256delivers the seeds proximate to the bottom of a furrow where the seedsare ejected from the conveyor 256 with a horizontal velocity componentthat reciprocally matches the ground speed of the row unit 234, suchthat the horizontal velocity of each seed relative to the ground iszero, or nearly zero. Similar to the dual-meter embodiment of FIG. 4,the conveyor 256 includes a flighted belt 258 within a case 260. Thebelt 258 is made of a resilient material that includes equally spacedflights 262 extending normally from the surface of the belt 258.

In the single meter embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, the seed meter 236includes a rotating disc 268 that rotates about an axis that is alignedwith a direction of travel for the row unit 234, but inclined relativeto horizontal. The seeds are provided to the rotating brush wheel 254 ata lower portion of the seed meter 236. However, unlike the dual-meterdesign described above, rather than using paddles 76 to move the seedinto the brush 254, the single seed meter 236 relies upon the path ofthe vacuum channel, as well as gravity and the momentum of the seed tomove the seed into brush 254. Once the seed is received in the bristlesof the brush 254, the brush 254 carries it a short distance to theconveyor 256 where the seeds are transferred to the conveyor belt 258. Acomb 292 helps guide the seeds on to the belt 258 between the raisedflights 262. The seed is preferably moving with the same velocity as theflights 262 when it is released from the brush 254 to assure a smoothtransition to the belt 258. The seed then travels down the length of theconveyor with one seed between each adjacent flight 262 under the forceof gravity. This does not necessarily mean a seed will be between everytwo flights, but instead, a seed will be temporarily housed between twoflights, the inner portion, and an end wall of the belt housing. Theequal spacing of the flights 262 assures that the seeds will be equallyspaced as they are ejected reward from the bottom of the conveyor 256 ata velocity that offsets the forward speed of the planter.

FIGS. 13-22 illustrate another embodiment of this disclosure. A row unit300 is shown in FIGS. 13-16. The row unit 300 includes many similarfeatures as described herein. A mounting bracket 302 permits attachmentto an implement bar. A linkage 304 connects the mounting bracket 302with a frame 306 that supports the working elements of the row unit 300.The frame 306 is connected to a furrow opener 310 in the form of discblades or the like. A furrow closing device (not shown) is mounted to afurrow closing adjustment mechanism 318 at the trailing end of the unit300. Gauge wheels 312 are provided in close proximity to the furrowopener 310 to control the depth of the furrow opener 310. An adjustmentmechanism 314 is provided to adjust the relative position of the gaugewheels 312 to the furrow opener 310. Also mounted to the frame 306 is aseed delivery apparatus that includes seed meter 308 and a seed conveyor316.

Further details of the seed delivery apparatus of the row unit 300 canbe seen in the cross-section views of FIGS. 15 and 16. The seed meter308 includes a rotating seed disc 322. The seed disc 322 includesseveral apertures 324 that each retain a single seed (not shown) as theseed disc 322 rotates, in a similar manner to the embodiments describedabove. However, in the seed delivery apparatus of unit 300, a rotatingwheel, such as rotating brush 320 is provided in close engagement with afront face (seed side) of the disc 322 to disengage and/or otherwiseremove the seed from the aperture 324 and move the seed towards theconveyor 316. More particularly, the brush 320 moves the seed radiallyoutwardly (relative to the seed disc) along a curved portion 326 of afront face (seed side, which is opposite the vacuum side of the disc) ofthe rotating seed disc 322. As described in the embodiments above, thebrush wheel 320 accelerates the seed to closely match the speed anddirection of a conveyor belt 328 within the conveyor 316 that takes theseed to a release position very near the bottom of the furrow. Incontrast to the embodiments described above, in this embodiment, thewheel brush 320 engages the seed directly from the face of the seed discand moves it towards the conveyor 316, as compared to the embodimentsdescribed above wherein the wheel brush is located tangentially to theseed disc and receives the seed after has disengaged from seed aperture.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic that illustrates some of the features of aseed delivery system 301 that incorporates the concepts of the systemused in row unit 300. The seed disc 322 in the seed meter 308 rotatesabout a seed disc axis 330. The seed meter 308 includes structure forcausing the rotation of the seed disc 322 that is not shown, but iswell-known (e.g., electric motor operatively connected to the disc). Theseed disc 322 has a front face 332 (aka the seed side) and a rear face334 (aka as the vacuum or pressure side). The front face 332 of the seeddisc 322 is generally flat surrounding the seed disc axis 330, thoughthis geometry is not generally critical. An outer portion 326 of theseed disc 322 is curved to correspond with the radius of the rotatablewheel 320 that rotates about a wheel axis 321. The curvatures need notmatch in all embodiments. The apertures 324 are provided through theseed disc 322 at or near where the curved portion 326 begins. Individualseeds 336 are retained on front face 332 of the seed disc 322 at theapertures 324. The seeds 336 are retained in place by a pressuredifferential across the apertures 324, which could be a positive ornegative (vacuum) pressure. According to the embodiment shown, a partialvacuum is created between the rear face 334 of the seed disc 322 and arear cover 338. A singulating mechanism (see FIG. 22) may be used toassure that only a single seed 336 is associated with each aperture 324.A gasket 340 surrounds an outer wall 341 of the rotating seed disc 322and provides a generally air tight seal between the seed disc 322 andthe rear cover 338. While the gasket 340 is positioned at the outer wallin the figure, it is noted that it could also be placed at the innerside of the seed disc outer wall, such as shown in other embodiments.Therefore, it should be appreciated that the gaskets could be placedoutside of or inside of the outer wall/edge of the seed disc such thatit will create a substantially full pressurized zone of the disc. Afront cover 342 encloses the seed meter 308 and snap fits with the rearcover to hold the gasket 340 in place. The seed disc 322 can rotateagainst a leg of the gasket 340. Because the gasket 340 extends up aportion of the outer wall 341, the seal between the seed disc 322 andthe rear cover is not broken by small relative movement of the rearcover and the seed disc 322 relative to each other.

In operation, the seed disc 322 rotates continuously. As the aperturespass through a seed pool (not shown), seeds 336 will adhere to theapertures 324 and be singulated by passing through a singulatorstructure 348 (see FIG. 20). Eventually each seed 336 on an aperture 324reaches the rotating brush wheel 320. The rotating brush wheel 320engages the seed 336 and moves it radially outwardly off of the aperture324 along the curved surface 326 of the seed disc 322. The wheel 320accelerates the seed to match the speed and direction of the outerportion of the wheel 320 and provides the seed 336 at an opening 344 inthe seed meter that is adjacent to the conveyor at a velocity thatclosely matches the speed and direction of the conveyor belt 328.Because the wheel 320 is moving much faster than the seed disc 322 (onthe order of ten times faster at the apertures 324) there is littlecircumferential movement of the seed 336 relative to the brush 320 dueto momentum and friction with the rotating seed disc 322 over the shortdistance between the aperture 324 and the conveyor 316. In that regardit can be beneficial for the front face 332 of the seed disc 322 to be alow friction surface to both reduce friction forces applied to the seed336 as it is moved by the brush 320 which could cause unwanted lateralmovement of the seed and in extreme cases potentially damage to the seeditself.

FIGS. 18-22 show various views of various features of the seed deliverysystem 301. In FIGS. 18 and 19 a comb structure 346 is shown thatassures that the seeds do not stick in the brush 320 and are transferredto the conveyor belt 328. As best shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the gasket340 includes a flexible leg that extends along the outer wall 341 of theseed disc 322. Again, it is noted that the gasket 340 could also beplaced at the inner wall or inner side of the wall as well. The frontcover 342 and the rear cover 338 include projections that capture thegasket 340 to hold it in place and to effectively stiffen the leg of thegasket 340 by limiting its free flexing portion. The singulatorstructure 348 is best seen in FIG. 20. The structure is fixed to aninner surface of the front cover. As seeds on the circular array ofapertures 324 pass through the singulator structure 348 excess seeds areknocked off, leaving a single seed on each aperture. The singulator cantake many forms, such as a single or multi-blade singulator (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 9,277,688, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety), knock-offs, wheels, or brushes, such as that shown in FIG. 39of the present disclosure. The type of singulator should not be limitingto the invention.

FIGS. 23-27 disclose additional views of a row unit 400 according to andincluding aspects of the invention. Similar to that previous disclosuresof row units, the row unit 400 includes a plate 402 or other member forattaching the row unit 400 to a toolbar of a planting implement.Extending generally from the faceplate 402 is a linkage 404, whichallows for some vertical movement of the row unit 400 relative to otherrow units and components of the planting implement. While not shown, asystem, apparatus, and/or assembly for providing down and/or up forcefor the row unit may also be included for use with the row unit. Such asystem is shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/047,236, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Aframe 406 is also included. The row unit 400 includes opening elements408, which are in the form of opening or coulter wheels in the figures.Gage wheels 410, a depth adjustment system 412, and a sensor 418 areincluded to adjust the depth of the furrow created and to sense andadjust an amount of supplemental down and/or up force for the row unit.

Connected to the frame 406 is a hopper attachment 414, which may also bereferred to as a mini hopper. The attached 414 includes, in part, a lidportion, a receptacle portion, and a conduit attachment 416. The conduitattachment 416 can be attached, via delivery system, to one or more bulkhoppers of the planting implement to receive on-demand amounts of seedfor the row unit. The seed can be stored, at least temporarily, at or inthe attachment 414, where it can then be fed into a seed meter seed poolfor singulation and delivery to the ground.

FIGS. 26 and 27, which are sectional views of the row unit 400, showadditional aspects of the invention, which include, in part, the seedmeter 420 and the seed to ground delivery system 450. The seed meter 420and the seed delivery system 450 are similar in nature to that shown anddescribed with respect to FIGS. 13-22. The seed meter will receive seedvia the conduit 416 and temporarily store the seed at a seed pool 423within a housing 422 of the meter 420. A disc 430 rotating within thehousing 422 will interact with the seed in the pool 423, and a pressuredifferential at seed apertures in and through the disc will cause theseed to adhere at the apertures of the disc 430. It is noted that theentire second side of the seed disc 430 will be pressurized, and therewill be no areas where the pressure difference is cut-off. The seed willtravel on the disc 430 until it is dislodged by a combination of a seedknock-off 424 and a brush wheel 452, which are on opposites side of theseed disc 430, as will be disclosed herein. The seed will be transportedvia the brush wheel 452 at a higher rotational velocity than therotating speed of the disc 430 to a point where the seed will bedelivered towards a belt 454. The belt 454 includes spaced flights 455,which will provide a controlled delivery towards a release point 462.The belt 454 will have a velocity that is synced with the ground speedat the row unit 400 such that the seed will be released from the belt454 and delivery system 450 with a horizontal velocity component that isequal to said ground speed in an opposite direction so that the seed isrelease with zero relative velocity, which will mitigate bounce, roll,or other movement of the seed when it contacts the ground.

FIG. 27 is a rear sectional view of the row unit 400 showing the secondor pressurized side of the seed disc with the seed knock-off member 424.As shown, the knock-off member 424 is a rotating member with spikes orother elongations extending outward and spaced to substantially alignwith corresponding seed apertures of the seed disc. This would make itsuch that the elongations extend at least partially into the seedapertures to interact with the seed to dislodge the seed thereat to aidin the removal of the seed by the brush wheel 452 that is rotatingsubstantially transversely to the rotating seed disc.

FIG. 27 also shows the location of the belt 454 relative to the openingwheels 408. The belt housing 456 will be at least partially between theopening wheels 408 to place a seed dispersed therefrom in the createdfurrow as close to creation as can be to mitigate the movement of theseed dropped therein before the furrow is closed. FIG. 27 also shows howthe seed meter 420 will be positioned substantially perpendicular to thedirection of travel of the row unit 400, while the brush wheel 452 andthe belt 454 will be substantially aligned with the direction of travel.

FIGS. 28-29, as well as FIGS. 32-33, show various views of the seedmeter 420 and the seed to ground delivery system 450, including thehousings thereof. The seed meter 420 includes a disc 430 within ahousing 422. The housing 422 may be a one-piece or multi-componenthousing in which the components are attached to one another, such as bysnapping together, clasping, of otherwise affixing temporarily orselectively to one another. For example, in some embodiments, thehousing 422 may include a pressure side 427 and a seed side 429. Thepressure side 427 can include a connection for a pressure source, suchas a vacuum, fan, blower, or the like. In the embodiments shown, thepressure source is a dedicated or otherwise integrated fan 428 that ispositioned on the housing 422. The integration of the fan 428 at theseed meter provide numerous advantages, such as individual control foreach seed meter of each row unit, greater efficiency, reduction ofhoses/conduits for the planter, etc. Additional advantages anddescription of integrating a fan 428 to the meter housing 422 are shownand described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,380, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety. The fan 428 can include a rotating memberrotating at a high speed to create a pressure differential at the seedmeter, and can convey the pressure to within the housing via a cutout,aperture, conduit, or the like. The fan 428 can be electricallyconnected to a source that provides electric power thereto in order tooperate. Additionally, the fan can be connected to a processing unit,central processor, or other computing member to provide commands and/orcontrol of the fan at each of the seed meters at each of the row units.

Also shown at the pressure side of the housing 422 is an electric motor426. The motor 426 is used to provide rotational power to the seed disc430 inside the housing. As will be understood, the disc 430 includesgear teeth 435 that will interact with an output shaft of the motor 426,wherein rotation of the output shaft will result in correspondingrotating of the disc. The electric motor 426 will also be connected tothe central processor/control to provide a rotational velocity that isbased, in part, on the seed type, population input, ground speed at therow unit, spacing, and other inputs related to planting. The inputscould be inputted to, reviewed, and updated via a central processor anddisplay, such as is disclosed in co-owned PCT Application No.PCT/US2017/064246, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Opposite the pressure side 427 of the housing 422 is the seed side 429.The seed side includes a pool 423 or a passage for seed to be deliveredto a pool for the seed meter. The housing members may comprise a rigidpolymer such as plastic or the like, and can be configured to reducestatic energy of the components, such as by including one or moregrounds.

Positioned adjacent to and operatively connected to the seed meterhousing 422 is the seed to ground system 450 and components. Thecomponents include the brush wheel 452 and housing 453 thereof. As willbe understood, the brush wheel comprises a plurality of bristlesextending from an axis that are pliable and resilient to be deformed toreceive a seed to transfer the seed from the seed disc 430 to the belt454. The housing 453 can also be a rigid material, such as a plastic.

Attached to and extending from the brush wheel housing 453 is thehousing 456 for the belt 454. The belt housing 456 is an elongatedmember, comprising a rigid material, that is used to house the belt 454and other components therein. The belt housing 456 can be unitary ormulti-component, in which the components are attached to another toallow selective access to the interior thereof. An opening 462 ispositioned at or near the bottom of the housing 456 to coincide with therelease point wherein the seed is released from the belt and directedtowards the furrow for planting.

While not explicitly shown, one or more sensors will be associated withthe housing 456 of the belt 454 to sense the occurrence of seed passingtherethrough, the speed of the belt, and other aspects of the movementof the belt and/or seed within the housing 456. The sensor(s) can beplaced generally anywhere along or on the belt housing 456 in which thesensor is able to sense the belt and/or seed moving therein.

Additional components shown in the figures include a motor 463 andgearbox 464. The motor 463 is an electrical motor, such as an DCbrushless motor. The motor 463 is used to provide power to rotate thebrush wheel 452 and the belt 454. The power is transferred from anoutput shaft of the motor to the brush wheel 452 and belt 454 via thegearbox 464. The gearbox 464 includes gears to receive and transfer therotational output of the motor 463. The gears may be numbered to receivedirect input from the motor or to receive translated movement from acorresponding gear, and can be sized and spaced to generate a desiredoutput (i.e., rotational velocity), as is known. The motor 463 can beconnected to the central processor or controller to provide for a speedto the system 450 based upon the ground speed, population, and otherinputs, and can be set such that the seed being released at the releasepoint 462 can have the horizontal component that is substantially equalto and opposite of the ground speed such that the seed experiences zeronet velocity. The gears and motor will provide such a speed output.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are opposite sectional views of the seed meter 420 andthe seed delivery system 450 as shown and described. As shown in thefigures, the seed meter 420 includes additional components, such as abearing member 470 to aid in the rotation of the disc 430 within thehousing. The disc 430 is also shown to have a first side 431, which mayalso be referred to as the seed side, and a second side 432, which alsomay be referred to as the vacuum or pressurized side. The seed side 431is the side that engages and interacts with seed, and the pressurizedside 432 is the side that is being pressurized to create the pressuredifferential at the seed apertures 434 in and through the disc 430. Aswill be understood, the disc 430 includes a generally planar innerportion 438 and a curved outer portion 439. The apertures 434 arepositioned substantially at the intersection of the inner and outerportions, where the disc begins to curve. The curvature of the outerportion 439 of the disc 430 coincides generally with the brush wheel 452such that the brush wheel is able to rotate along with the curvature ofthe profile of the disc. The point where the brush wheel 452 and thedisc 430 interact is shown by numeral 474 in the figures.

As disclosed, the brush wheel 452 includes a plurality of outwardlyextending bristles that are used to engage a seed from the disc and tospeed up and transfer the seed to the belt 454. This occurs generally atthe location 475 as shown in the figures.

Additional elements of the belt 454 include, but are not limited to, alower roller 458 and an upper roller 459. The belt 454 comprises aninner surface 457 with flights 455 spaced and extending from the innersurface 457. The inner surface 457 extends around the upper and lowerrollers 458, 459, and can be tensioned by a tensioner 460. The upperand/or lower roller can be connected to the gearbox 464 and motor 463 toprovide rotational velocity to the belt 454, which can correspond withthe ground speed of the row unit 400 to provide population selectedspacing and planting.

Still further, the sensor 472 can be associated with the belt 454, suchas at the belt housing 456, to sense the movement of the belt and tosense seed characteristics as the belt moves. For example, the sensorcan be used to determine the presence of a seed, the proximity of oneseed to a subsequent seed, multiples, skips, or any other informationthat corresponds to planting. The sensor can provide feedback to theprocessor, controls, and/or user to determine the efficiency andaccuracy of the planting system to determine if errors are occurring sothat they can be troubleshooted and corrected to plant the seeds withthe spacing and population desired. Additional sensors may also bepositioned along the belt, including on the opposite side to ensure thatthe seed has been released from the belt and is not continuing to travelwith the belt.

Operation and travel of the seed can be shown best with regard to FIG.30. Seed is provided to the seed meter 420 and pooled at the seed pool423. A disc 430 rotating in the meter 420 is pressurized to create apressure differential at the seed apertures 434 in and through the disc.The seed is therefore adhered to an aperture 434 as the aperture passesthrough the pool 423. The disc 430 rotates through a singulator 500 toensure that a single seed is positioned at the aperture 434. The disc430 continues rotation towards the brush wheel 452, which is located atan approximately 6 o'clock position 474 of the meter 420. At or nearthis position, on the second side 432 of the disc 430 is a knock-offmember 424 that rotates and includes elongations extending at leastpartially into the apertures 434. The knock-off member 424 aids indislodging the seed from the aperture 434 at or near the location of thebrush wheel 452 to aid in the removal and transfer of the seed from thedisc 430 to the brush wheel 452. The brush wheel 452 at least partiallycaptures, grabs, or otherwise moves the seed from the disc 430 andtowards the belt 454. The brush wheel 452 is moving at a much higherrotational speed (e.g., up to 10 times faster) than the disc 430 tobegin corresponding to the ground speed of the row unit and/or planter.The bristles of the brush wheel 452 aid in moving the seed.

The brush wheel 452 moves the seed towards the belt 454, and transfersthe seed to the belt at an approximate 5 o'clock position as shown inFIG. 30. Thus, the brush wheel does not move the seed very far. The seedis then transferred to a location between adjacent flights 455 of thebelt 454 at the transfer point 475, where the belt 454 begins moving theseed. The belt 454 is being moved at a speed to correspond with theground speed, and is controlled by the motor 463, gearbox 464, androllers 458, 459. The seed will pass at least one sensor 472 to acquireinformation about the movement before continuing along the elongatedpath indicated by the arrow 478 in FIG. 30. The movement will continuetowards the release point 462 at or near the bottom of the elongatedbelt 454. The seed is released from the belt 454 with a horizontalvelocity component that is substantially equal and opposite in directionto the travel of the row unit 400 to drop the seed with zero relativevelocity, which will mitigate bounce, roll, or other movement of theseed in the furrow. Thus, the seed has been planted using the seed meter420 and seed delivery system 450 of the embodiments.

FIGS. 34-36 are additional views of the seed meter 420. FIG. 35 is apartial sectional view that shows portions of the first side 431 of theseed disc 430. As will be understood, the disc 430 includes a pluralityof radially spaced apertures 434 creating a seed path. The aperturesextend in and through the disc 430. Adjacent to and in angular relationto the apertures are corresponding seed channels or pockets 436. Thechannels 436 engage the seed in the seed pool 423 (location shown inFIG. 35 to be at an approximate 8 o'clock position) to agitate and urgethe seeds towards the apertures. The channels are indents in the face ofthe first side 431 of the disc 430, but do not extend through the disc430. Also shown in FIG. 35 is a singulator 500, which will be disclosedin more detail herein. The singulator 500 is used to singulate seeds,i.e., ensure that a single seed is positioned at each aperture 434.

FIG. 36 is an opposite view of FIG. 35, with the housing member 427removed to show the interior of the housing 422. The figure shows thesecond or pressurized side 432 of the seed disc 430, which includes theapertures 434 that extend through the disc. Also shown in FIG. 36 is thegear teeth 435 that engage and interact with the output shaft of themotor 426 to provide rotation to the disc 430. The gear teeth 435 areshown to be positioned radially from the axis of the disc 430 betweenthe axis and the outer edge of the disc. The teeth 435 are outwardlyfacing (opposite the axis). Thus, the shaft will not interfere with orget in the way of the seed path or other components of the meter 420.The knock-off member (also referred to as an ejector) 424 is also shownin the figure. The ejector 424 is a rolling type ejector wheel that aidsin seed removal from the disc. As disclosed, the knock-off member 424includes a rotatable member with outwardly extending portions thatcorrespond with the seed apertures 434. The rotating member is connectedto the housing 422 via a hinge 425 to allow for axial movement of theknock-off member 424 relative to the disc 430. The member 424 can bebiased towards the disc as well.

FIGS. 37 and 38 are views of the seed disc 430, and in particular, thefirst or seed side 431 of the seed disc 430. As disclosed, the seed disc430 includes an axis and a plurality of seed apertures/cells 434radially spaced from the axis and forming a seed path. The apertures 434extend in and through the seed disc 430. Adjacent to the apertures 434are corresponding seed channels 436, that are angled and extendpartially into the disc. The channels 436 are included to agitate and tourge the seed from the seed pool towards the seed apertures 434. Thechannels 436 may have an angled front wall and internal end wall, and arear wall that is substantially normal to the face of the disc. Theouter end wall near the aperture may also be angled/beveled andterminates generally at the aperture. The shape of the channel is angledrelative to a line of radius extending from the axis and towards anaperture, resulting in an angle that is ahead of the line of radius. Inbetween the apertures 434 are outwardly extending flaps or paddles 437.The paddles 437 extend away from the disc 430 and separate theapertures. The paddles are spaced generally such that the brush wheel452 is able to fit between subsequent paddles to remove a seed that ispositioned between the paddles. However, the paddles 437 need not beincluded in all embodiments.

Also shown in the figures, and in more detail in FIG. 39, is asingulator 500. As noted, the singulator 500 is configured to singulateseed on the disc 430 so that a single seed is positioned at eachaperture 434. The singulator 500 is positioned to attached to thehousing 422 and “ride” along an outer edge 440 of the disc 430. Thesingulator has a housing or body 504 that includes one or more surfacesfor moving along the outer edge 440. However, the singulator may or maynot actually touch the disc 430. The singulator 500 is attached to thehousing 422 via member 502, which may be spring steel to bias thesingulator 500 away from the housing and towards the disc 430 in anaxial direction. In addition, a biasing member 501 is included in theform of a spring wire to allow the singulator to float in a radialdirection, which biasing towards the axis of the disc 430. Thesingulator further includes a blade 506 extending downward from the body504. A singulating element 508 extends from the blade 506. In thefigures, the singulating element is in the form of a plurality of offsetand spaced brushes, which are configured to face the seed side 431 ofthe disc 430 about the seed path to “brush” off double seeds that mayadhere to a single aperture. The brushes could be replaced with blademembers, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,277,688, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 37 and disclosed herein, the disc 430includes an inner portion 438 that is substantially planar, and an outerportion 439 that is curved. The curved outer portion 439 beginsapproximately the location of the seed apertures 434 and includes acurvature similar in nature to the outer profile of the brush wheel 452.The curved outer portion 439 terminates at an edge 440. It is also notedthat the figure shows that the outer profile/edge 440 extends outward ofthe outer edge 441 of the second side 432 of the disc 430.

FIG. 40 is a view of the second side 432 of the disc 430. As shown, theapertures 434 extend through the disc 430, and have a profile on thesecond side in which the aperture is larger on the second side andnarrows towards the first side of the disc. This allows the pressure tobe increased when felt at the first side 431 of the disc 430. The gearteeth 435 are also shown in greater detail in FIG. 40, as is theknock-off or ejector member 424. As noted, the ejector 424 is a rollingtype that includes a rotatable body 443 with extensions 444 radiallyspaced therefrom. The spacing of the extensions 444 coincide with theapertures 434. The body 443 is connected to an arm 445 that is hingeablyconnected to the housing 422 at a hinge 425. This allows for biasing ofthe ejector 424 towards the disc 430, while allowing for axial movementof the same, which can be needed if obstructions are included, or if thedisc 430 becomes warped or otherwise deformed.

The figure also shows the singulator 500 attached to ride along the edge440 of the disc 430.

In addition, the figure, along with FIGS. 41-42, disclose the inclusionand use of a seal or gasket 480 on the second side 432 of the disc 430.The seal or gasket 480 is used to create a fully pressurized zone on thesecond side of the disc 430, making it so the area inside the seal orgasket 480, which includes the entirety of the seed path, ispressurized. This ensures that all of the apertures 434 will be underpressure at all times of operation of the seed meter. The seal is housedin a notch or compartment 487 (see, e.g., FIG. 30) that is formedbetween a portion of the housing 422 and an interior of the outer edgeor wall 441 of the disc 430.

The seal or gasket 480 comprises a resilient, pliable, or otherwiseflexible material (such as a rubber, silicone, or like material) thatwill close off the portion of the disc 430 radially internal of the seal480 to create a pressurized zone. To aid in creating such a zone, theseal 480 includes a unique design, as shown in FIG. 42. The seal 480includes a base portion 483 and a lip 485 extending therefrom. The lip485 is curved and extends generally alongside the base 483, and isconnected at a hinge 486. The composition of the seal or gasket 480 andthe use of the hinge 486 allows for the base 483 and the lip 485 to moverelative to one another without breaking or fracturing. As the pressureis turned on and off, the seal will be acted upon and will deform toclose off the edges 481, 482 on opposite sides, creating the closed offpressurized zone. For example, as the pressure acts on the seal, the lip485 will be forced outwardly radially and the base 483 will be forcedinwardly radially. The hinge 486 allows for the base 483 and lip 485 tomove towards and away from one another.

Additional changes and/or variations may be made to the systems as shownand described. For example, a seed meter system, as shown and describedin U.S. application Ser. No. 15/343,342, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, could be used in place of and with any of theseed delivery systems shown and described herein. The brush wheel andbelt could receive the seed from the seed meter of the '342 applicationand control the delivery at the speed desired to match the ground speedof the planter and/or row unit.

Furthermore, it should be noted that any of the components, embodiments,aspects, systems, or portions of any of the figures as shown and/ordescribed could be used with any of the other the components,embodiments, aspects, systems, or portions of any of the figures asshown and/or described to result in additional embodiments. Thoseskilled in the art would readily understand and know, without unduetesting, to replace the components based upon the information disclosedherein. This includes, but is not limited to, the type of pressure, thenumber of discs of a seed meter, the number of seed meters of a rowunit, the use of sensors, the positioning of the meters and/or deliverysystems relative to the direction of travel of the planter, the sourceof pressure (single source with hoses or integral), the source of motor,use of downforce, etc.

The embodiments and aspects of the invention as shown and describedprovide numerous advantages. The controlled nature of the delivery ofseed from a seed meter to the furrow provides for increased accuracyand/or efficiency in spacing of seeds planted, especially with regard tohigher speed planting. It is noted that high speed planting isrecognized as planting at speeds generally above 8-miles per hour, andmay be considered generally above 8-MPH and between 8-15 MPH(approximately 12.9-24.1 Kilometers per hour). However, this is not tobe limiting, and high speed planting may be defined as being outside ofthis range. The high speed ability to plant allows farmers to planttheir crop in reduced time and to plant within a preferred window oftime based, at least in part, by the geographical climate and conditionsof the location of planting. The aspects disclosed will allow for suchhigh speed planting, while maintaining a high rate of singulation andplanting efficiency and accuracy, in terms of ideal spacing andpopulation of crop planting by the systems provided.

Thus, various configurations of seed delivery systems have been shownand described. It should be appreciated that the systems shown anddescribed are for exemplary purposes, and the invention of a controlledsystem for delivering seed from a singulating seed meter to the groundto provide for consistent and equidistant spacing of the seed in theground has thus been provided. It is to be contemplated that numerousvariations, changes, and otherwise, which are obvious to those skilledin the art are to be considered part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural planting implement, comprising: aplurality of row units, wherein each row unit of the plurality includes:a seed meter with a seed exit, said seed meter including a seed dischaving a plurality of seed apertures radially spaced to form a seed pathand a curved portion radially external the seed path; and a seedconveyor in communication with the seed meter to receive seeds from theseed meter, wherein the seed conveyor is adapted to move the seedtowards an ejection location proximate to a bottom of a furrow and isadapted to eject the seed with substantially no horizontal velocityrelative to the bottom of the furrow.
 2. The agricultural plantingimplement of claim 1, wherein the seed disc comprises a seed side and apressurized side, and wherein the seed side is in communication withseed and the pressurized side in communication with a pressure source tocreate a pressure differential at the plurality of apertures.
 3. Theagricultural planting implement of claim 2, further comprising a sealpositioned inside an outer edge of the pressurized side of the seed discand extending circumferentially about the outer edge of the disc tocreate a fully pressurized zone within the seal on the pressurized sideof the seed disc.
 4. The agricultural planting implement of claim 1,further comprising a seed carrier in communication with the seed exit ofthe seed meter, said seed carrier receiving seed from the seed meter oneseed at a time.
 5. The agricultural planting implement of claim 4,wherein the seed conveyor is in communication with the seed carrier toreceive seed from the seed carrier at a transfer location remote fromthe seed meter, and wherein the seed conveyor is adapted to move seedfrom the transfer location towards the ejection location.
 6. Theagricultural planting implement of claim 5, wherein the seed carrier isa brush wheel.
 7. The agricultural planting implement of claim 6,wherein the seed conveyor comprises a flighted belt.
 8. The agriculturalplanting implement of claim 7, wherein the brush wheel is adapted torelease the seeds one at a time at the transfer location with a transfervelocity that substantially matches a velocity of the flighted belt. 9.The agricultural planting implement of claim 6, wherein: the seed discrotates about a seed disc axis that is generally aligned with adirection of travel for the row unit; and the rotating brush rotatesabout a brush axis that is generally horizontal and transverse to theseed disc axis.
 10. The agricultural planting implement of claim 9,wherein the brush axis is generally perpendicular to the seed disc axis.11. A method of planting seeds, comprising: moving seed along a seedpath of a seed disc of a seed meter, said seed disc comprising a curvedportion radially external the seed path; transferring seed from the seedpath to a rotating brush in communication with the curved portion of theseed disc; carrying the seed via the rotating brush to a seed exit; atthe seed exit, transferring seed from the rotating brush to a conveyor,wherein the conveyor moving seed from the seed exit towards a furrowwherein the seed is ejected proximate to the furrow with a horizontalvelocity component being approximately zero relative to the furrow. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the seed disc rotates about a seed discaxis that is generally aligned with a direction of travel.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the rotating brush rotates about a brushaxis that is generally horizontal and transverse to the seed disc axis.14. The method of claim 11, wherein the conveyor comprises a flightedbelt within a conveyor cover.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising controlling movement of the flighted belt such that therotational speed of the flighted belt is substantially synchronized withthe rotational speed of the rotating brush whereby seed exits therotating brush with a speed that substantially matches the movement ofthe flighted belt.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprisingsealing a pressurized side of the seed disc with a seal positionedinside an outer edge of the pressurized side of the seed disc andextending circumferentially about the outer edge of the disc to create afully pressurized zone within the seal on the pressurized side of theseed disc.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising singulatingseed along the seed path with a seed singulator that is biased axiallyand radially towards the seed disc and that includes at least onesingulating element.
 18. A row unit for use with an agriculturalimplement, comprising: at least one seed meter comprising a seed disc,the seed meter being adapted to provide one seed at a time to the seedmeter opening; wherein the seed disc comprises a plurality of seedapertures and a curved portion radially external the plurality of seedapertures; and a conveyor in communication with the at least one seedmeter to receive seeds from the at least one seed meter, the conveyorejecting the seeds proximate to the ground with a horizontal velocitycomponent being approximately zero relative to the ground.
 19. The rowunit of claim 18, further comprising a rotating member in communicationwith the curved portion of the seed disc to receive seeds from the seedmeter, and wherein the conveyor receives seed from the rotating memberat a seed exit of the seed meter.
 20. The row unit of claim 19, wherein:the seed disc rotates about a seed disc axis that is generally alignedwith a direction of travel for the row unit; the rotating member rotatesabout a rotating member axis that is generally horizontal and transverseto the seed disc axis.